For $1500 you should get an entire show? I bought Porper's Cylinder and Coins for $1200.00, made a few changes and additions to it that came to another $450.00 for $1650.00 and I think it's one of the best things in my close-up show. Was it pricey for a single routine? I don't think so.

I think any reputation maker, as this doll could easily be, or even a very memorable trick, which this definitely would be as the audience will remember this one because it is so unique and visible, is worth whatever you are willing to pay for it.

I think it is a collector item for professional magician more than a gimmick for performance. In that sense, I think it is a bargain.

The method behind is nothing new, but the whole design and the work is so beautiful and classic.

I have to ask...does anyone have this...are they happy with it? Is it difficult to perform?

--Jon

He has been VERY slow in building them. One is on its way to me and I'll be happy to give an in-depth review when I receive it. Yes, it is a very fine collector's items, but he also uses this professionally in his show, so it is an audience-tested item, something which very many commercially sold magic tricks are not. This should be good, but we'll see.

Wow, looks like camera edit special effects. That doll dancing on the folder is amazing!

This guy is very creative.

I received my Paper Doll from Hocus Pocus/Mike Michaels a few weeks ago, and I'm happy to say it's well worth the wait. The craftsmanship is outstanding. Those "camera special effects" that itsmagic refers to look just as good live. Mike has obviously put a lot of thought into the routine and handling, which is explained very well on the accompanying DVD.

From a collector's standpoint, this is a must-have. And I believe the price is extremely fair, considering the quality of the apparatus you receive.

Okay, I have spent nearly ALL day playing with this wonderful item, so here is the promised review.

First, I see that JL608 mentioned a DVD? Well, mine came with a VHS videotape, which is okay, but I just wanted to be specific as to what I got.

Okay, that aside, I think the first thing anyone would notice on opening this is that the builder definitely cut no corners to make this. And, he spared no expense to make it a thing of beauty. The little stage and roof are natural finished wood, the entire back of the unit is covered with with what appears to be maroon crushed velvet, not only glued perfectly in place, but bolted also, the curtain is a beautiful, flexible cloth with silver sequins and all the mechanics and hardware are manufactured of the highest quality and installed perfectly. It is a gorgeous prop. Even if you never did the trick, it's a showpiece for your magic collection. But, by all means, do the thing.

He brilliantly engineered footlights which illuminate the dancing doll and make it look more realistically stage-like, but it also aids the black art immensely by closing down our irises a bit as we watch.

There are many principles involved here. The doll is controllable manually, which is the biggest part of the routine. It is also controlled automatically without the aid of the performer. This part is intelligently used very sparingly in the routine, a clear indication of seriously good thinking in development.

The "flying" scissors are manually operated and not only fly, but open and close to "cut" the little sheet of paper. This control is easy to operate and placed right where it should be.

The spray of cuttings is also intelligently placed so just a touch of your little finger sends a "snowstorm" of clippings out into the air. The effect is a little detail that really adds to the overall effect.

Finally, the notebook is also a pleasant surprise as the little doll continues to dance off the stage and in the hands. When I watched the demo video, I was certain there was something attached to the body to create this part, but not true. The notebook is entirely self-contained, easy to operate and incredibly well thought out and deceptive.

As I look at three things, the appearance and workmanship of the prop, the effect it creates and the practicality of the method used to create that effect I can honestly find no downside to this wonderful item.

I guess some might say the price is a downside, being $1500.00, but I assure you this is one of the rare times when you will buy a prop this expensive and honestly feel that it was sold too cheaply! You will not be disappointed.

The video instructions teach you almost all you need to know and could be a little more detailed, but they are adequate. For example, the footlights and motor for the automatic dancing are battery operated, but he never shows how or where to install the batteries once they've expired. But, it did not take long to find them, so all is well.

If I had to rate this by numbers, they would all look pretty good:

Workmanship 10
Effect Created 10
Method Working 10
Quality of Materials 10
Instruction 9

Thought I'd add onto this since I'd ordered it, but my wife made me put it under the tree for Christmas.

Completely agree with everything said above in the review. This is a beautifully conceived and produced item. I must, however, reiterate the poor quality of the instructional video. It really is something that's rushed through and not accomplished in any sort of coherent way. It could have been done much better. And, maybe I'm one of the minority, but when I opened it up and saw an instructional VHS video I was shocked. I no longer own a VCR, only a dvd player. I had to rush over to a friend's house to burn the sucker.

But, those things being said, this item totally rocks. I can't wait to perform it.

--Jon

When someone says that an item is "a little pricey," I always wonder what they're thinking? Should a builder/designer lose money on a prop? Most people don't have a clue what's involved in R&D, quality materials, labor, advertising, etc.

After all his hard work, years of testing, quality workmanship, quality material, advertising and other unknown costs, how much do you think a builder like Mike Michaels should make?

It's fine to say that you can't afford something. It is insulting to call a quality piece "a little pricey."

Just my opinion.

Lou Leventhal